Christmas 2008

The decorations have been put away for another year. Christmas 2008 went off without a hitch. The kids had a nice year getting just the right amount of stuff. We had warned them that we were scaling back on presents but all in all it was just right.

The biggest surprise was something Brian and I referred to as Project Coconut. Project Coconut had been something we had tossed around for some time. Mid December Project Coconut went into action. We added a cute little pup to join our family at the Funny Farm. Brian and I fell in love with her right away. She is a miniature Dachshund that is dapple colored( a mixture of colors). I wanted to give her to the kids already named to cut down on the arguing. We mulled over every girly Christmas-y name and we agreed on Candy Cane. So on Christmas Eve Brian went a brought home our new baby girl. Our 10 year old Dachshund Patty is doing okay accepting her but really wishes the puppy would just leave her alone. The kids are thrilled with Candy and so far no complaining about tending after her. She is so laid back and she loves being spoiled.

We enjoyed time with both our families. We had plenty good food and alot of laughs too. It was a nice holiday for us all. I have alot of pictures to sort through and I will make another picture Christmas post soon.

Hoilday Cheer from the Funny Farm

These pictures were included in my Christmas card this year. The card that those of you that normally get a card from me it should arrive in a couple of days. Let's just think of it as a New Years card, Can we? Time kinda slipped away from me this Christmas more so than ever before.

But life here at the Funny Farm is going fine. Santa's early present to Collin was the gift of hearing. He had his 4th set of tubes put in on Friday after the Doctor had delayed surgery twice . I have been teasing Collin about making sure tubes were on the top of his Christmas list. I think he just wanted to squeak one more hospital copay out of me for 2008.

Hudson is growing and changing. He is a smiling little thing now. In the last few weeks he has found his feet and he holds on to them and tries to put them in his mouth alot. He has a cute laugh too.

The older kids are thrilled to have a break from school. Brian and I are thrilled to have a break from school too. Nice change of pace.

We are all set for Christmas. Presents have been wrapped and the kids are getting giddy with anticipation. Just looking at the tree and pile of presents reminds me how blessed we are. Tomorrow we go see Santa, yes we have waited THIS LATE to see Santa. I really am running behind , remember I already told you that. Tomorrow the girls and I will do some baking and candy making for our neighbors and friends. A tradition Macy and Molly really love and look forward to. If I don't find time to post again before the big day, Merry Christmas Ya'll!

Celebrating Life

My Mom celebrates a birthday today that almost didn't happen. Her life has taken a whole new course and she has embraced and accepted it far better than most people would. It wasn't her time to go and I thankful everyday for that. Mom, your are a special person. We love you and hope you have a great birthday!

Cutest Santa Ever

Elf the Moons!

This is so funny. They would only let us add 5 pictures, so we could not get Huddy Buddy in the video. Stil, it is hilarious.

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Waving Franticly

Wow, I just realized I haven't updated in almost a month! Life has been definitely interesting and blogging kinda got put on the bottom of the list . But don't fear I am back for now.

Let's talk Thanksgiving. I know it's old news especially since I went and decorated the blog for Christmas but humor me. Our Turkey Day consisted of parade watching along with coughing and Kleenex, yummy food from rubbermaid containers,and a nap. Half of the family was sick so we didn't host or attend the Thanksgiving day meal. Brian was our meals on wheels delivery service and went and filled up plastic bowls with all the good food his Mom and Grandmother had prepared. It was alittle sad but it will be memory for sure because we have never missed a Turkey Day with Brian's family.

Friday was followed by both the lil one's (Collin and Hudson) visiting the Doctor. Poor guys were so sick. Hudson with a double ear infection , and Collin with ear infections and bronchitis. Collin needed a breathing treatment and inhaler. I went with Doron to a few store to hit the sales , we didn't do our normal marathon shopping just went to 3 stores. And then I went to the drugstore to pick up the $120 worth of medicine for the boys. Ouch!

So any money I saved I handed over to Walgreens for drugs. My best purchase was a Onieda 85 pc flatware set for $47. Small forks and spoons have a way of disappearing in this house. I had bought new flatware 4 years ago and there are no small forks to be found. I have been buying plastic forks for awhile because I don't want to raise cavemen. Every time I would pass out the plastic forks I would give my speech on how we used to have nice forks but they somehow grew legs and walked away. I am very protective of my new forks and usually count them to make sure all 16 are still present. So far so good.

But the boys are better. Yea! And Collin gets a brand new set of tubes in his ears next Friday. Set number 4, our ENT must love us.

I have alot of pictures to go through and will post some ASAP. Hope everyone is happy and healthy. Now that we recapped Thanksgiving it's on to Christmas. The house is decorated and the gifts are in the works. Next week is our annual Santa picture. Lots to do but it seems more fun doing everything this year without morning sickness. Merry Christmas ya'll!

Superman boys

Reasons for being a bit busy

1. Homecoming festivities. Helping prepare for the event. Including the parade and the game day events. Football every Saturday all-day-long for the last 8 weeks . Which is now over and it couldn't have ended soon enough for me this year.

2.Attending field trips. Not because I just love going to the pumpkin patch for the hundredth time but because it's a huge deal to the little pumpkin patch goer that I can share in such an event.


3.Fall festival at school. Our class won best booth for 2nd grade and the prize was cash to be used for something new for the classroom. The kids loved playing Candyland at our booth. It was both educational and fun!I put a few days work into with the help of the other room Mom. Time consuming yet fun for the kids.

4. Halloween. For a person with a few kids this isn't such a hurdle but it is like putting on a production for the kids at my house who like to think of costumes you just don't buy off the rack. (pictures coming). The kids got a good bit of wear out of them by not just Trick 0rTreating but also wore them to a festival at a local church on Wednesday night before. Sure fun for the kids but work for me.

5. Cleaning up and griping about all the candy wrappers and sucker sticks that have been laying around. Because 5 kids can really get a ton of candy and we all know how hard it is to actually walk to the trash can.

6. Cooking meals, washing clothes, doing dishes and being the over all Bossy butt of my family. Making sure teeth were brushed , homework was done , feeding and diapering the littlest member. And the list goes on and on.

So all in all it's busy and at times the chores that keep my head above water is all that gets done. Sometimes clean enough is where the bar is set. Someday these times will be past and I hope I can look back on the job I did and be happy I was on a field trip while there was laundry piled up at home. Sure my inner neat freak hates it really hates it , but theres a life to live and therefor a price to pay for it. I am not Super woman but Wonder woman, wonder what the heck I was thinking.

I am waving hello for New Orleans. :) Miss ya'll!

Costume Preview

Hey, It's Franklin! Franklin is a Turtle from a cartoon/ children's book series.
Spider girl and Sonic the Hedgehog
The Garden Gnome!!

Just for laughs

Hudson is thinking.............Why does she do this to me???

Homecoming 2008

Last week was Homecoming for our school and ball park . What a busy week it was. Above are some pictures of the kids in the parade and the girls going to the High School football game.

3 months old

I have held this little guy in my arms for 3 months now and I am still in awe of him. You'd think by time you have baby number 6 it would old hat but I still find him amazing.

He has started to coo, smile and be entertaining. He loves for anyone to talk to him so he can talk back.

He will eat anytime it's offered and you can see by the looks of his thighs he is well fed.

His name fits him well but he is called by his nickname Huddy Buddy most of the time.

He usually has a serious look on his face. He is definitely the most serious baby we've ever had.

He is so sweet and so loved. I feel so lucky that I am his Mommy.

Happy Fall!

I love the fall. I love the sights, smells and fall events. Halloween is one of my favorite holidays too. My kids and I have lengthy conversations about who or what they want to dress up as. We sit and look at websites to gather ideas. We plan and prepare for several weeks for that one night, Halloween. This years costumes are starting to come together. We have a few ideas and have started working on them. The older kids are saying they aren't dressing up (for now) but I am already working on Mommy's costume. So happy Fall Ya'll!

Asking Forgiveness

"Good night. I'm sorry that I was being bad please forgive me I fell (feel) bad xoxoxoxox I love you so munch (much)"

This note is what I found on my pillow a few nights ago. Molly had been giving me problems all night and was sent to bed early. The note made me smile and forgive her. She isn't one to verbally say she is sorry very often. But it is nice to know she really does have a conscience.

Parker's New Look

After growing his hair all summer Parker finally agreed to a major hair cut. I have done my best to let him express himself with the hair over the summer , telling myself that its just hair and not worth the fight.I tried to bite my tongue I really really tried. But the hair was uncontrollable and just down right ugly looking. He is such a handsome kid usually.

The same day as his hair cut he also lost his top front tooth. So he looked so different overnight.

The next day he brought his school pictures home. OH MY they are hideous!He has his long wild hair going 50 different directions! Thankfully he can retake them this week. Pictures after PE in grade school are never a good idea.

After looking back at pictures Logan actually looks better with longer shaggy hair. But it's so thick he really needs the stylist to trim it up and thin it out just as often as he would if it was a short cut. It is funny that he is pretty picky how he wants it cut that bugs the the stylist not cut too much. Maybe soon he will try harder to make sure his clothes match (BTW Logan ,Navy and Black don't match). I can dream can't I? He seems to always have a girlfriend even with his odd fashion choices. I guess us females like a challenge and to fix things. Haha!

Stay Tuned

Just wanted to let everyone know I have several blog post coming up. I went away on a girls weekend to the beach last weekend. We had alot of fun and relaxed a bit. I was able to read several magazines cover to cover (Gasp!) and eat a meal without having to share a single bite (Ooo Ahh!) . I laid on the beach without the worry of who needed sunscreen or the threat of someone drowning. It was nice to be able to reflect on all that happened in the last year. To be away from my day to day life for a few days made me miss it so much. The crazy chaos that happens here everyday really is laced with love,laughter and memories.


Brian has several work related trips coming up and I am going along. I find it funny how all these things are happening within 2 months but they are good opportunities for us. Our familes are willing to help with the kids so hopefull it will work out okay. The up coming trips are to Gatlinburg, TN, New York and New Orleans. There will be plenty to blog about!

Just Tickled

Hudson is feeling better! And he is just all smiles. There are happy moments again not just crying and pain. But I am having a hard time remembering to give him the meds twice a day and I paid for it on Saturday when he missed his doses. He was back to feeling bad so I know it really is helping him.
He weighs 10 lbs 12 oz and is really getting long (or is it tall?). His eyes are a crystal blue and I don't for see them changing. He has started cooing and likes to talk when we talk to him.

3 years OLD!

Dear Collin,
You are now 3 years old. Wow, I can hardly believe it because the years have gone by so fast. You had a blast at your birthday party. You loved your Thomas the train set and scooter so much. You also loved sliding and jumping with all the kids at the party.

You have become such a neat little boy and so smart too. Your big blue eyes are full of wonder and your imagination is huge. I love the way you say certain things but when you say "I love you Mommy" out of the blue that has to be my favorite. You like to sing and have been known to dance when no ones watching. You like cartoons alot and your favorite meal is breakfast, often asking for cereal before your even out of the bed.

You were the toughest child to potty train and can be pretty mischievous at times. Your manners are one of your best qualities, you say please and thank you without being asked. You are tall for your age and no one believes you just turned 3. You love your siblings and love to blame them for something you have done. Even when your the only one home to make the mess.

Collin,you are such a blessing. Your smile is like a ray of sunshine. You keep me on my toes because your always up to new tricks. You are a Momma's boy and I hope that never changes. We all love you and are so proud of the little boy you've become.

Love Always,
Mommy

Comic Relief

I am sure you are wondering what exactly these pictures are about. Well you see a couple of the kids have these small footballs that they received at High School football games. So they always blame each other for having their ball. But Parker had an idea. He took his ball and wrote in permanent marker PARKER MOON and underneath he wrote REALLY IT'S MINE. I thought it was just hilarious that just writing his name wasn't enough. He must have known I need a laugh.

BTW, Huddy-Buddy has acid reflux and is now on meds. I couldn't have planned it any better when the Doctor walked in the exam room Hudson spewed on my shoulder BINGO. He did look him over well to rule out everything but all his symptoms point to reflux. Hopefully within a week he will be back to his old self. Yippee!

Blue Eyed Boy @ 2 months

Here is a picture from today. Poor Huddy-Buddy has not been himself. There are no obvious signs of something wrong other than lack of sleeping and crying. So we will see how tonight goes and if he doesn't seem better I will let Dr.Barron figure out what is going on.

I feel dazed I am so tired. Thankfully Daddy is home tonight. Yea Daddy!

For Papa 1927 -2002

While the nation was having a day of remembrance for people who had lost lives just one year before in the Trade Center bombing we were laying my Papa to rest 6 years ago today. His struggle was relatively short and we knew the end was coming so we were preparing ourselves best we could. Our family happened to be all together celebrating a birthday and just as the party was winding down Mom got the call he had passed away.

Man, I still miss him so . He was a happy jokester type person. He loved a Jack's hamburger, a coca-cola, going fishin' and some Alabama football. He love everything about holidays, the food, the family being around and the gifts. He and I had an on going joke about what we were making each other for Christmas. I had given him some of the tackiest Thrift store finds as gifts. And I treasure those memories.

No matter what he had hurting him if you asked how he was doing he'd say he was doing fine. He never wanted to burden anyone with his problems. He unselfishly took care of his wife until he went into the hospital. He hid from us how progressed her Alzheimer's had gotten and took care of her the best he that he could. He loved her and his family and it showed.

If you wanted to pull a prank on him he hated snakes and a rubber snake would get him in an uproar. He would always tell us kids to "go home with him" anytime he came to visit us. He believed that A&D ointment would cure most anything and a perfect day would end with a bowl of ice cream.

What a example he was for me. To be proud of where I came from, to work hard ,stay positive, love God and your family, laugh, and always enjoy the sweetest things in life.

Gone but never forgotten he has left this world but will forever remain alive in my heart.

Together we have it all

This is our normal. Pretty much sums up things right now.

Normal is always having laundry to fold.
Normal is rushing to get out the door to get somewhere.
Normal is not everyone being happy at once.
Normal is someone is always hungry or thirsty.
Normal is fast food for the family costing 30-40 bucks.
Normal is noise and chaos.
Normal is someone complaining.
Normal is someone sitting in my lap when I sit down.
Normal is 7 dinner plates,7 forks,7 cups each meal.
Normal is something always needs cleaning.
Normal is my car always seems dirty.
Normal is 6 times the work.
Normal is 6 goodnight kisses.
Normal is 6 times the love.

I would not change a thing. The good the bad and the crazy times. I have a sign hanging at the house that says "We may not have it all together but together we have it all." Can I get an Amen on that? Thank you Sister on the back row.;)wink

Hudson turned 2 months old yesterday. He isn't quite himself and the only pictures I have of him to mark him turning 2 months old he is crying . So maybe I will have a better picture in a few days.

Are you ready for some FOOTBALL??

Saturday we spent ALL day at the park cheering and playing football. I guess it is a pretty insane idea to let all 4 do a sport at once. But it's important to them therefore it's important to me. Hudson did well spending all day in the heat and didn't seemed bothered by the noise. Collin did fine as well. I think next game day I will be better prepared and take the canopy and a fan.

New Man

So there's this new guy I have been seeing for almost two months now . He is so cute but he demands alot of my attention. He is the last thing I see at night and the first thing I see in the mornings. He has a way about him to always get what he wants. But those eyes and that smile are worth it. I am pretty head over heels in love and one day he will call me Mommy.

Happy Birthday Maw!

Here is my Mother in law with 4 of her 7 grandchildren. We referred to her as Grandmaw until Logan was around 1 year old and he starting calling her Maw and that was her name forever more. She is the type of grandmother who keeps a stash of goodies (candy and sweet treats) just for the grandkids. She is the one who always made Logan "pink milk" in his sippy cup which is milk and strawberry Quick. She buys kid cereal just because the grandkids like it. And gets kiddie magazines sent to her house just for them.She has read all of them the same baby board books and they all love them dearly. That is just a few special grandmother-y type things she does. She loves them all just as they are and supports their interest. And all the grandkids love her so much too.

As for being a Mother in law I really lucked out. I can't relate to the horrible mother in law stories. We get along great. We have very similar taste. She has never bought me any strange thoughtless gifts but rather its always stuff I really love. She has always made me feel apart of the family. She has respected my parenting and never under minded me. I am so fortunate and I know I have the type of mother in law all my friends wish they had.

So I want to wish her a very happy birthday and thank her for being who she is. We love you so much and we can't wait for you both to live closer to us. You have opened your heart,home and love up to me and I feel so greatful for it! I hope you had a happy birthday and have many many more.

Cheering On the Tide

Today was Hudson's first Bama game! Don't mind the serious face, we just take our football seriously around here . I snapped this picture just as he was thinking YESsss to the 34 to 10 WIN for the Tide.

Thank you Aunt Kristi for the outfit, I am sure it wasn't an easy purchase for you but we love it. Roll Tide Roll!

Results are In

This was made for me in Photoshop. I think it is just too cool and I wanted to share it.

In other news I got the results yesterday on the 2 hour glucose test I had done on Monday. It seems I now have hypoglycemia. I did a little reading online last night and I do seem to have alot of the symptoms. Treatment is a diet, eating small meals throughout the day and not skipping breakfast. So basically to feel better I need a lifestyle change. I usually skip breakfast 50% of the time. I usually eat just lunch and dinner and those meals contain carbs and other bad things like sugar. So this is going to take some getting used to but I want to feel better so I have to do it. So think of me while I go through sugar detox and Can you please pass the salad?- Thanks

School Boy

These are pictures from last week showing what Collin has been doing in school. He painted and colored some pictures. Collin made the bead necklace that he is wearing in the above picture. On Thursday he had show and tell and he had to take something red. Collin chose to take his Tickle Me Elmo. He is really loving school and no longer cries but he looks forward to going. This weeks show and tell is bring a picture of your family. I am betting money Collin has the most brothers and sisters in the whole class!

Already a fighter

I recently downloaded some pictures off my camera and I really liked this photo. Hudson looks like he is ready to start a fight. My little tough guy is now 6 weeks old, he last weighed over 9 pounds and he is definitely getting longer because he is filling out the legs of his sleepers now.

The last few days he has seemed abit cranky and I am paranoid since it was at this time when Collin was a baby that he started with ear infections. Yikes.

The rest of the kids are doing well. Collin loves school. The other kids are excited that football season is here we start games next Saturday!

Big Sissy

When people ask me the ages of my kids the common response is "At least you have some helpers". That is very true my older kids are a big help and I am greatful for them. They help out not because they are made to but because they want to. There often are times I have to make them leave the baby alone. Often as in daily.

Macy is a awesome Big sister tho and has such a good maternal side. I kid her about her low pain tolerance and how on earth is she going to birth my grandchildren some day. She just glares at me in true preteen fashion. I am hopeful she will get tougher with age. (Oh please Lord)

I know she is reading this so Thank you Macy for being who you are. I love you very much!

Baby Powder footprints

This masterpiece was created by Collin (surprise, surprise). When I was telling the whole story to Doron I told her I wasn't sure whether to title this picture "Why Collin needs preschool" or "The Cons to Breastfeeding".

Last Friday while I was sitting in the living room feeding Hudson I noticed Collin was taking a awfully long time going potty. I called out for him and he immediately responded with "I not doing nothing!" which means he is really doing SOMETHING. And of course this was what was keeping him busy, he had emptied 1/2 of bottle of Baby powder on the floor and was very proud of his footprint trail. Sigh, Like I don't have enough work to do around here!

I wonder what is cheaper to formula feed or hire a maid? I am hoping the painting and crafts at school help Collin express his creative side so he doesn't feel the need to fingerpaint with baby powder again in the near future.

Party like a Rock Star

Over the weekend Erin a friend of the kids had a Hollywood style birthday party. The party guest were asked to dressed the part which explains the picture above. They all partied like rock stars but had soda and cake rather then booze and drugs. The kids thought it was alot of fun walking the red carpet and getting to dance like a bunch of fools. The party was a huge hit!

"Preschools not for WIMPS"

Collin's first day of preschool . He didn't cling to me and cry like I feared he might. He did shed a tear or two just for good measure to make me feel loved. I managed to find something to do with myself while he was there. I made some returns, did alittle shopping, went to the bank , took Huddy Buddy for his 1 month check up and had lunch with my Mom.

When I went to pick him up he was playing and having fun. So I asked the normal questions, What did you do?, Did you meet a friend?, Did you eat lunch? He answered the questions and added with a serious look on his face that "School is not for wimps!" I couldn't help but laugh.

He seemed to really like it and has talked about all the fun stuff he did. He keeps talking about a girl named Olivia she seems to have really impressed him. He and I are both excited to go all 3 days next week.